Hey guys, I like to solo in blues so I work a lot with blues/minor pentatonic scales but I'm feeling that I'm not exploiting enough ressources. So instead of playing scales or transcribing vocals (I do that sometimes), what other tools can a guitarist use for his impros ?

Listen closely to BB King, Albert Collins, Jimmie Vaughan, ALbert King and all those chaps. These guys really talk with their guitar. They use few notes, but phrase them and attack them just right. I was also really bored with improvising, because I was thinking about it too technically and playing too many notes. I found learning to make three notes say something instead of just thrashing out a speed picking riff really helped me. It's all in the tone.

Learn how to weave in and out of different scales; for example I am currently practicing this weaving method by playing blues and then throwing in some harmonic minor notes in there and vice versa. It gives your improv a needed boost.

I found learning to make three notes say something instead of just thrashing out a speed picking riff really helped me.

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Originally Posted by MaggaraMarine

Also focus on rhythm instead of notes.

+1 to these↑↑↑

I find that anytime my improv starts to feel like i'm just repeating myself I try to find new ways to phrase the same things. Try to get a rhythm going while you play. Doesn't have to be a swing feel or anything, but just break it up from the usual straight notes.

Also, concentrate more on your dynamics and articulation. I find that these two things are what will set you apart the most. Play some notes softer and some accented heavily. Try playing your usual licks staccato(pick it and immediately mute it.)

The key thing I'm trying to point out is that you don't necessarily have to play different licks, just play the same licks differently. Helps me start to think outside the box a lot.

Thanks a lot guys, I heard about some of your advice and it's good to get a reminder of my options. There are definitely many things that were missing from my playing but you gave me a good bit to work on for the next couple of months/years.

I don't know much Blues, but my playing could be described as Blues Rock and for an example I will use Smoke On The Water. I have played it a gazillion times and never have found one to be boring. Each time I play something different, from tapping, to mixing scales, to even pick scraping, so I'd say it's about variety. Focus on the rhytm spice it up.

Start using chromatic notes, provided you like the sound of chromatic playing.

One thing I heard from Guthrie Govan (If you need a guitar soloist to listen to look at his track 'waves') is instead of going what key is this and looking at an appropriate scale. Look at the chords and play the notes of the chord AND the notes that would be in the chord if it was a more interesting chord. For example, if someone plays a C power chord (Assuming its major in terms of the key), you could play a C, E, G and then to add interest you could make it a major 7, adding a B or a ninth by adding a D. Your playing the same notes that would be in the scale, but I found this approach made me play better.

^ Unless you want to play some pentatonic stuff. I find some notes to fit some keys better. For example if we are in A minor, I don't like playing F, not even over F major chord. I just don't like playing the b6 note even though I like the VI chord in minor. Pentatonic just fits rock solos the best. Also playing F# in A minor is kind of more "rock" than F.